Frequently Asked Questions

“For Violinists, By Violinists”

At Kennedy Violins we are a family of string players committed to helping fellow musicians reach their goals. We are here to answer your musical questions, help find the perfect instrument for your needs, and provide resources for learning the music you want to play. Give us a call and one of our friendly customer service representatives will be happy to assist!

Please call 1-800-779-0242 to ask for any special requests with your order or email us at support@kennedyviolins.com

Metropolitan Youth Symphony (MYS) was founded in 1974 by Maestro Lajos Balogh with 16 string players and the group grew quickly to 35 members by their first performance in 1975. MYS was founded on the belief that the study of music is an integral part of a child becoming a well-rounded adult. Not only does music promote intellectual and aesthetic knowledge, it also builds leadership skills and creates a supportive, community environment. MYS now have over 500 youth from the Portland Metro and SW Washington areas enrolled in 12 orchestra, band, and jazz ensembles.

The Portland Youth Philharmonic Association (PYP) was founded in 1924 as America's first youth orchestra. PYP strives to maintain the finest possible youth orchestras in order to inspire and educate young people through performing symphonic music and to provide a cultural asset for the community.

Working closely with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony as their fiscal sponsor and with the Beaverton School District, Cammie and Isabelle lead a program in which they and other high school musicians volunteer to teach violin to 4th-6th grade students at the Aloha-Huber Park K-8 School. 85% of Aloha Huber Park's students are economically disadvantaged, and would otherwise not have the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument.

BRAVO Youth Orchestras is inspired by and modeled off of El Sistema, a movement founded in Venezuela to create social change through music and education for children in impoverished circumstances. BRAVO Youth Orchestras program is built upon practicing and educating the ideas of inclusion, equity, excellence, social responsibility, and joy through music.

Rose City Youth Orchestra is a program serving young musicians in the Portland Metropolitan area, including Vancouver, Washington. We offer three levels of chamber orchestra to students aged 8-22. In addition to exceptional orchestra training, we also provide comprehensive chamber music coaching in small ensembles.

Vibe exists because arts education is missing in today’s daily educational system ~ especially for students without the means to make it happen outside of the school day. Vibe connects local teaching artists who are passionate about bringing their love of music and visual arts to the students they work with.

The JSV gives the talented young musicians of Vancouver and the surrounding Washington/Oregon area an opportunity to participate in an orchestra/chamber group, in addition to their school music programs. This ensemble utilizes the talents of the professional musicians of the Oregon Chamber Players for coaching and conducting and sets a high professional and musical standard for these young musicians, while enhancing the skills of creativity, self-discipline and teamwork.

Ethos was founded in 1998 with the belief that all children, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location, deserve the access to a music education. The founding members chose the name “Ethos” because their artistic vision was built on the philosophy that music education has the power to change thoughts, moods and actions. Since 2003, Ethos has been named as one of the top 50 after-school arts programs in the US six times by The President's Commission on the Art and Humanities.

Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc., created in 1974 as a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization, is the charitable arm of Sigma Alpha Iota, international music fraternity. Its mission is to promote all aspects of music creation, performance and scholarship; and encourage service for and through music on the campus, in the community, in the nation, and throughout the world.

Chamber Music Northwest serves more than 50,000 people annually in Oregon and SW Washington with exceptional chamber music through over 100 events annually, including Summer and Winter festivals, year-round concerts, outreach activities, educational programs, broadcasts, and innovative collaborations with other arts groups. CMNW is the only chamber music festival of its kind in the Northwest and one of the most diverse classical music experiences in the nation, virtually unparalleled in comparable communities.

CMC is a program of Portland Parks & Recreation in partnership with the nonprofit Community Music Center, Inc. CMC enhances the greater Portland community by providing opportunities for all ages to learn about, make and enjoy music. We do this though affordable music classes and lessons, free and low-cost concerts and workshops, low-cost instrument rentals, and other resources for the public, all subsidized by the City and the non-profit. About 1,000 participants of all ages currently enjoy regular music activities at the Center, instructed by a faculty of over 55 professional performing artist teachers.

The 300 Watts String Trio consists of three siblings: 16-year old violist Shania Watts, 14-year old cellist Jonathan Watts, and 12-year old violinist Darah Watts. In the four years they’ve been playing together as an ensemble, they’ve created a number of their own arrangements born of improvisation and their varied musical interests (jazz, latin, and eastern music influence their creations). They have performed with organizations including the Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra and the Oregon Symphony. The were featured on "On Deck" with Christa Wessel on All Classical Portland 89.9.

Willamette Falls Symphony is filling a gap in Clackamas County by providing an opportunity for residents to enjoy classical music locally at low cost. Three to four concerts a year are presented. The audience includes a large portion of senior citizens and is drawn mostly from the surrounding area, including Gladstone, Oregon City, West Linn, Milwaukie, Canby, Estacada and Molalla.

Tatiana Kolchanova is a Violinist, Pianist, and Violist with 20 years of teaching experience and 28 years of performing experience. She holds a Ph.D and is the founder and director of Music & Arts Academy in Camas, Washington. She is also the Washougal Community Orchestra Director and Conductor. The Camas United Methodist Church hosts rehearsals and concerts for the Camas-Washougal Community Orchestra.

Hearts of Ganesh, a local nonprofit charitable organization with international impact, is dedicated to educating and empowering people around the world to take Compassionate Action for captive and endangered elephants. Heart of Ganesh emphasizes conversation and action, creating a kinder world for elephants and people alike.